Rapido Trains (HO)

New Announcement - GMD GMD-1 and 52' 6" Mill Gondola

Category: General

Overview

"Rapido Trains Inc. and MLW are delighted to announce the GMD-1 locomotive. The GMD-1 was built between 1958 and 1960 by General Motors of London. The locomotive is an extended 1200 hp roadswitcher, equally at home on the branchline, on the mainline, and in the yard. The 1000-series GMD-1 features A-1-A trucks to distribute its 120 tons over six axles and allow travel on light rail branches in the Prairies. The 1900-series GMD-1 features 2-axle Flexicoil trucks and a steam generator for passenger mainline and switching duties. Even though the GMD-1 was exclusively built for Canadian National and Northern Alberta Railways, it quickly became a Canadian railway icon with a devoted following. Simply put, there is nothing quite like the GMD-1, and it is still in service today. "

"Rapido Trains Inc. and MLW are pleased to announce a true Canuck classic: the ultimate Canadian gondola. This 52’ 6” mill gondola was produced starting in 1943 and continuing through the 1950s for several Canadian railways and is the accurate model to replace all those stand-ins you bought in the 1990s! These cars and others almost identical to them were built in large numbers by National Steel Car (Hamilton) and Eastern Car Company (Trenton). Our mill gondola was used in general service and travelled widely throughout the United States and Canada well into the 1980s. Many remain in company service today! Our all-new model fully captures the details of the prototype car. Features include delicate Z (Zed/Zee) bracing, with separate wire grab irons, positionable drop ends and ratchet style hand brakes. Full underbody detail is of course included while a die-cast metal floor ensures good weight for trouble-free operation.The interior has not been neglected either; it includes full rivet and tie-down details. Three different 70-ton trucks – solid bearing, roller bearing and solid bearing side frames with roller bearing inserts – all are offered as appropriate. Trucks feature turned, free-rolling metal wheels. Our metal Macdonald-Cartier knuckle couplers are fitted standard. Each scheme will be available in numerous car numbers, with either six or twelve numbers being offered in the first release."